Agni Purana — Sahitya-shastra, Shloka 17
Chapter 342: शब्दालङ्काराः
Verbal/Sound-based Ornaments
चतुर्व्यवसितञ्चैव मालायमकमेव च दशधा यमकं श्रेष्ठं तद्भेदा बहवो ऽपरे
caturvyavasitañcaiva mālāyamakameva ca daśadhā yamakaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ tadbhedā bahavo 'pare
चतुर्व्यवसितं चैव मालायमकमेव च। दशधा यमकं श्रेष्ठं तद्भेदा बहवोऽपरे॥
Lord Agni (teaching the sage Vashistha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Use the tenfold scheme of yamaka as a standard syllabus map; identify caturvyavasita and mālā-yamaka in texts and craft them in composition exercises.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Yamaka as Tenfold (Daśadhā) with Caturvyavasita and Mālā-yamaka","lookup_keywords":["daśadhā yamaka","caturvyavasita","mālā-yamaka","yamaka bheda","anuprāsa"],"quick_summary":"Affirms a canonical tenfold understanding of yamaka while acknowledging many further subtypes. Serves as a framework for organizing examples and pedagogy."}
Alamkara Type: Yamaka (with Caturvyavasita, Mālā-yamaka)
Concept: Śāstra-saṅgraha (compressing a large field into a teachable canon)
Application: When teaching or writing commentary, present the tenfold core first, then append regional/authorial subtypes as extensions.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Kavya–Alankara: Yamaka/Anuprasa classifications)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A schematic 'garland' (mālā) of repeated syllables encircles a central chart labeled 'Daśadhā Yamaka', with two highlighted nodes: caturvyavasita and mālā-yamaka, as a teaching diagram.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stylized diagrammatic garland motif around a central palm-leaf chart reading 'daśadhā yamaka', two emphasized labels 'caturvyavasita' and 'mālā-yamaka', guru pointing with a stylus, flat decorative geometry.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, ornate circular mālā motif with gold leaf, central panel 'daśadhā yamaka', side cartouches for 'caturvyavasita' and 'mālā-yamaka', rich jewel tones, temple-like frame.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, clean instructional chart aesthetic, garland-like repetition pattern drawn as linked beads, labels in Devanagari, teacher and students in a classroom setting, soft colors and fine outlines.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, album page with calligraphic panels: 'daśadhā yamaka', marginal illustrations of a garland and fourfold arrangement, scholar annotating with reed pen, delicate borders and floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Vachaspati","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: -ñcaiva = -m ca eva; bahavo 'pare = bahavaḥ apare (visarga sandhi).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 342.16; Agni Purana 342.18; Agni Purana 342.20
FAQs
It imparts kavya-shastra (poetics) knowledge: yamaka (a sound-based ornament) is presented as having a principal tenfold classification, including types like caturvyavasita and mālā-yamaka.
By cataloging technical categories from Sanskrit literary theory (alankara-shastra), it shows the Agni Purana functioning as a compendium that includes aesthetics and grammar-like disciplines alongside ritual and dharma topics.
While not a ritual injunction, it supports dharmic cultivation through refined speech and composition—skills traditionally valued for transmitting scripture, praise (stotra), and ethical instruction with clarity and aesthetic force.